Delightful feel-good entertainment, Mr Blake at Your Service is a fun-filled romantic romp.
Andrew Blake (John Malkovich) is a successful English businessman who is pining the loss of his wife of more than 40 years. Diane, a French woman, was the love of his life. They met at a beautiful French chateau when they were young and it was love at first sight. She was on holidays and Andrew was hired as her English teacher. They went on to have a daughter, Sarah, who now lives in Australia. Since Diane passed away four months ago, Andrew has been struggling. He and Diane promised each other that one day they would return to the estate where they met. Now he makes that pilgrimage alone, not knowing how long he will stay.
Only he is at first mistaken for somebody who responded to an online ad for hired help placed by the cook, Odile (Emilie Dequenne). The owner of the property, Nathalie Beauvillier (Fanny Ardant), is in financial peril, unable to pay the bills since her philandering husband died four years ago. She would like to open up the place to guests, but for that to work she would need more staff and she can’t pay for that. In fact, her eccentric behaviour has her desperately replying to junk mail in the hope of winning a fortune. Then Odile – not knowing anything of Andrew’s background – comes up with a plan. Andrew will become an English butler for a trial period in return for room and board.
In quick time, with his good-natured banter, Andrew changes the dynamic at the manor and of the household staff who inhabit it. In the process, he too finds a new lease on life. Among those affected by Andrew’s straight talking are the stickler for detail and masterful chef who dotes on her spoiled cat Mephisto, Odile. But she is far from the only one. Andrew befriends a man who took a shot at him (literally), odd job guy Magnier, (Philippe Bas), who has designs on Odile. And then there’s the maid, Manon (Eugenie Anselin), who is ruing the fact that she’s fallen pregnant and her boyfriend seems to have abandoned her.
Mr Blake at Your Service has been adapted to the screen from a hit novel by Gilles Legardinier. It was translated into 17 languages and has sold more than a million copies across 22 countries. Now, he has written the screenplay, alongside Christel Henon. Far-fetched material to be sure, with twists a plenty, but it will surely put a smile on the faces of even the hardest of hearts. I could feel myself being manipulated, but gladly went along for the ride. The charming characters and the way they are played, along with the surfeit of quips, elevate the movie above the ordinary.
I’ve typically viewed John Malkovich as a serious actor, but here he takes to the humour with gusto and a distinct spring in his step. There is an elegance and stoicism about Fanny Ardant as a proud widow who fears for the future. As Odile, Emilie Dequenne deftly balances rigid routine with vulnerability. There is a timidity too about Philippe Bas as Magnier, a man who is highly capable professionally, but somewhat lacking in interpersonal skills. And what is it about cats dominating screentime in movies this year? In quick succession we have had A Quite Place: Day One, Fly Me to the Moon and now Mr Blake at Your Service. It’s hard not to be impressed by the entitlement that Nouchka, a Persian, shows as Mephisto in this one.
Some of the French accents by the English actors may sound somewhat tortured, but there is no doubting the warmth and charm in this fairy tale.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.